Sentinel-Standard back in the day: Oct. 21, 1889

These are bits of news from the Ionia Daily Sentinel in 1889, when the editor was James H. Kidd.

Linda Ciangi Special to the Ionia Sentinel-Standard

These are bits of news from the Ionia Daily Sentinel in 1889, when the editor was James H. Kidd.Oct. 21, 1889Kansas City. A large number of small incendiary fires have occurred here recently. The police have discovered that the incendiaries were a band of school boys ranging in age from 11 to 15 years. They were regularly organized and called themselves “Capt. Kidd’s Pets.” The members are bound by blood-curdling oaths not to reveal the secrets of the order, and all their plans were carried out according to written orders signed with blood from the arms of the young desperadoes. There are six members of the band, and one confessed they set many small fires. Band leaders are under arrest.Baker City. The Baker City and Canyon stage was held up at 6 o’clock Friday morning near Union Creek and the mail sacks robbed of all registered matter. The robber was disguised by having a dark woolen scarf tied over his head and face. He was about 130 pounds and dressed in dark clothes. All regular mail was replaced in sacks, thrown in the stage and the driver ordered to proceed on his journey which he did without delay.Indianapolis. Ensley Wright, the aged farmer who shot a tramp near his residence some days ago, was arrested on an indictment charging him with murder. All the circumstances of the killing appear to prove that the tramp was killed without cause. The prisoner is 72 years of age, and when incarcerated he was so feeble that he tottered into the cell.LOCAL LACONICS. How’s this, Deputy Chapman? The Detroit Journal says: “They are killing quail up in Ionia County, law or no law, but they defend themselves by saying the quail are so plentiful and so tame that they have to kick ’em to death to get them out of the road.”H. E. Kidd will find awaiting him when he returns home a fine, 8-pound boy who arrived this morning at his home.M. E. Church Reception. The trustees of the M. E. church and their wives will hold a reception at their church on Saturday evening for the purpose of meeting all the members of the church and the strangers who frequently attend worship with them, for the purpose of getting better acquainted and thus being in a position to be of material aid and sympathy. A program of entertainment will be prepared. Let every member of the church be present. H. Rich, Chairman of the Board.To learn more about the Ionia County Historical Society or to share your own stories or memories, contact Ciangi at 616-527-4945.